A couple of points to clarify.

I don't lay responsibility for the accident on the cruiser that crossed the course at the last second. As others have pointed out who knows if the Captain even realized that there was a poker run going on. But after watching that video I disagree with those who say that no spectator boats played any role in the crash. I do feel that the Skater took action to avoid him and that probably led to him losing control but I'll let the experts hash that out.

Again, back in the day when the slower boats went first the public had a very loud and much slower/safer warning that a fleet of Poker Run boats was advancing up the lake and it gave the public more time to react and to get off the course. By the time that cruiser realized that a 160 MPH rocket was barrelling towards him it was too late for either of them to have that encounter end well.. I realize that having the faster boats work their way thru the slower boats in a poker run is potentially more dangerous for the Poker run fleet, but in an event like this it is we Poker runners who should bear the greater risk, not the public.

After seeing other videos of a particular well know poker run participant cutting thru the spectator fleet in order to gain an edge to the first card stop you begin to grasp just how much importance these big dogs place on being the first to that card stop and just how little regard they have for their own or other people's safety.

For those who still think that any discussion of such matters should be kept in a closet, it is far too late for that. These videos are plastered all over YouTube, FaceBook, and other social media and if they say a picture speaks a thousands words, well a video speaks Ten Thousand. As boatme has pointed out, it is accidents and lawyers and lawsuits that kill poker runs, not discussions on how to make them safer. As tragic as this event was ( as well as Kevin Sellers a few years back) at least to this point we have not harmed anyone but our own (no disrespect to the family's and loved ones). We need to fix this situation fast for our own well being and before innocent spectators get taken out and end Poker Runs across the country forever. Sorry if this is uncomfortable for some of you to see this topic discussed in the open but imagine how uncomfortable the loved-ones of the deceased are today. That is the big picture. We need to fix this.

How experienced is he keeping that thing tracking straight if a drive breaks at 160 and a boat full of kids 100 feet or less away?

100'? The videos I saw of this guy running in between spectator boats is more like 20'. Completely irresponsible. Some of you say, who hasn't kept the throttles forward when they should have been pulled back...speed isn't the only problem here...it's also where you're pointing the damn boat...in between two spectator boats (bass boat and a Checkmate)...just 20' off either one of them...come on people, that's just wreckless...this guy shouldn't be allowed to take part in poker runs any longer, he's a danger to those around him. I saw another video posted where a similar boat (possibly the same guy) ran right past some people at high speed...they all reacted in a very shaken manner. There is NO excuse for this kind of driving. If you say nothing, you're condoning it.

respectfully I have to disagree. if the boat taking the video has poker run boats on both sides of it, then to me they might be the obstruction/target. I love to watch talledega and Daytona, however my couch and cooler aren't in the middle of the track.

What a joke. You are kidding right?

again respectfully i disagree, there are plenty of boats out in front of him, again on both sides. The fact that he is closer and the video ends there means that A; other boats came by at speed, and they stopped videoing or moved. Without a doubt Bills boat is one of if not the premier poker run boats today. But with the speeds it can attain, doesn't it speak volumes that there were many boats ahead of him in this video? it shows me that although he likes to go fast he puts bragging rights far and below the safety level, i think his safety record for having this type of boat and power are the true test to his respect for the sport and the speeds.

Lets face it. Poker runs with the speed of boats today are out of control. I seriously have no problem with full on speed limits in tight quarters. It's coming to that. Where I run the caloosahatchee is 25 mph. I usually run upper 30s. Haven't been popped yet but sure I will.

I haven't run on these lakes but have run my river, grew up on the Chesapeake bay and boat in the gulf. I've never ran in a boat poker run though I would like to if it was set up right. These speeds are just too much for the tight quarters on an open waterway.

Everyone can argue about freedom and doing what they want but that only works when you stay considerate of others. If this community doesn't do something about it, governments will. I respect you can't close an entire poker run course then set it up like loto. Poker run speed limit and a seperate closed shootout. Poker run organizers need to get together and if someone breaks the speed limit they are banned from all other runs also.

Internal policing is the only way to keep government from getting involved and ending up with a 50mph speed limit everywhere. The choice is yours fellas.

Cashbar......... No disclosure from you that "the guy in the red skater" is a good friend of yours?

OSD- true that even the biggest NASCAR fan doesn't sit in the middle of the track (like some spectator boats choose to) but Pyburn's line choice was a poor decision. His safety record might be perfect but then again maybe Smith/Asbell's was too..........until Saturday.

Most people have a great safety record right up untill THEY DON"T

In Michigan I believe the law states if you are closer than 100 feet you have to go slow no wake. Also if you are the approaching a boat you MUST YEILD the right of way to the boat you are overtaking. So after looking at both videos it is my opinion that, first off, the crossing boat was further away from the pack than you think, but at over 100mph that distance closes fast. Secondly, since the Green Skater was the one approaching he needs to “Give way” to the cruiser. It isn't like he crossed 20 feet in front of them
At SOTW we has some spectator and fishing boat issues as well. We were running in Lake Michigan where there was plenty of room (Over 70 miles wide at that point) and still we had fishing boats to contend with and they had the same right to be out there as we did. We heard from the fishing boat crews and tried to make a big point in the drivers meeting to tell everyone to “stay well out and away from boats not in our event ” and still we had some participants that either did not see the boats anchored in front of them or did not care they were to close to them. Some times you just cant tell the people to behave properly. Most of our participants abide by the rules but it only takes one to ruin it and we had some complaints we had to resolve because someone was not thinking or just did not care (both not good reasons)
In our case it took one accident, the death of two men, and getting drug into a $10,000,000 law suit to stop Bob and I from ever putting on another event. You do not have to be wrong to be sued, you just have to be there or be part of the event.
These accidents are going to end poker runs sooner than you think. Not by law enforcement, but fewer people are going to want the liability to put on an event for a bunch of ego driven boaters who don’t want to race there big boats where they really should be running them. The exposure to litigation and lawsuits in general is HUGE!! The payoff (for the love of the sport) is no longer worth it. Sponsors are now being sued for there participation in any event that has an accident so trust me when I tell you Offshore Poker Runs will make themselves a thing of the past. The final clock is ticking faster as the speeds go higher

I have said many times “I feel much different now then I did just a few years ago” but I have first hand knowledge and some maturity to say the answer is simple. (Yes just like cars or motorcycles ) If you want to go balls to wall, GO RACING! I am sorry if you do not want to have all the hassles associated with racing, but like the auto industry, if you break the laws (I am not talking about just speed, I know there is no speed limit on water - that is most likely coming next) then you are going to get the consciences. Motorcycles and cars have the ability to go a lot faster than they can safely on the city streets, but you do not run 200 on your motorcycle at a poker run just because YOU CAN